2Fm Thailand Slur

[Dodge]

If you were in another country and you heard someone on the radio say something like that about Ireland you'd probably be offended

Hinestly, I wouldn't. One of my favourite Simpsons' lines is Homer blagging his way backstage at a U2 concert pretendng to be "Potato Man!"

If all people think about when they think of Ireland is spuds and terrorists, thats their loss (and spare me the won't somebody think of the tourist industry" lark too - not that you were going to)

[dahamsta]

The Simpsons is different again though; it's satirical, intentional, comedy. 2FM news is only comedy in the same way the Star is comedy.

[dfx-]

If you were in another country and you heard someone on the radio say something like that about Ireland you'd probably be offended.

I've been to Thailand and there's way more to that country than women and drugs.

I certainly wouldn't...but the point is if you were to stand at the glorious 'Millennium Spire' this morning and asked everybody going past about Thailand, what response will you get?

I would guess that that response would be close to the comment made by the broadcaster. Therefore you would be offended/bothered/complaining about a reasonably accurate statement.

[Dr.Nightdub]

So you're basically arguing if the general population has a view based on ignorance, cliche and misconception, then the national broadcaster should reflect that view, dispense with the truth and base its reporting on ignorance, cliche and misconception?

I'm open to correction on this, but I would've thought that educating the public would be included somewhere under the general umbrella of "public service broadcasting".

Otherwise, they're just the Evening Herald with an aerial.

[finlma]

but the point is if you were to stand at the glorious 'Millennium Spire' this morning and asked everybody going past about Thailand, what response will you get?

Thats not the point at all. Our national broadcaster shouldn't be making sweeping remarks and breeding ignorance.

[dcfcsteve]

I certainly wouldn't...but the point is if you were to stand at the glorious 'Millennium Spire' this morning and asked everybody going past about Thailand, what response will you get?

Really ?? I strongly suspect you'd be wrong. The women bit possibly for a few blokes, but not foe the majority or for women, I'd strongly suspect. Probably more likely to say 'Lady Boys' than 'Women'. Also - Thailand is hardly a country famed for drugs in the way Columbia, Holland or Afghanistan, for example, would be.

If asked what they associated with Thailand, I bet Seamus and Maire Ni Average would be more likely to say things like 'Sunshine' and 'Beaches' than "women", and certainly "drugs". The only international reputation Thailand has for drugs is one of being outrageously strict on them.

2FM were just being tw@ts here. Pure and simple. What relevance did their personal biases towards Thailand have towards the story anyway ? If a country is more associated with drugs, then does that somehow disallow it form having a coup ?!?!

[Vitruvian Man]

"Ireland, a country normally known for potato eating drunks".

I take offence at that remark.
I eat at least as much pasta and rice as potatoes.

[Aberdonian Stu]

Given the time of the comment (7pm) I've a feeling this was part of Newsbeat which is an attempt at being hip and down with the kids.

That said it still shouldn't be the way you start a piece!

My gut would say it was a failed attempt at hipness for the show. It is the type of show where those facets could be included as it seems to be more light hearted but you shouldn't open a bulletin with that.

[endabob1]

If it's a news buletin it's not supposed to be funny and someone whould point it out to RTE, News is News, Comedy is something other channels do.

Thailand is a stunning country with a rich heritage and history (the only country in SE Asia never to be colonised) feeding ignorant stereotypes is highly iresponsible, what next "In other news today, Roscommon 'A county normally known for 2 sheep being tied to tree being clasified as a leisure centre' ...."

[Strabane_Harp]

I take offence at that remark.
I eat at least as much pasta and rice as potatoes.

bloody foreigner!!!!

[Block G Raptor]

Didn't hear that comment but on Q102 (rubbish of choice in my workplace) the girl reading the "news" didnt refer to it as a coup but rather as a coop. Some sort of chicken related violence going on in Thailand in Q102 land. Though they didn't really expand on it as they prefer to give a list of tabloid headlines rather than a news report

I've yet to hear that woman give an error free news report she can hardly read
nearly drove off the road the other day when she said "there was a ground's well of opinion on" something or other

[Dodge]

Jesus, you're easily shocked. May i suggest you give up driving..

[wws]

i'd have associated the country more with paedos to be honest (gary glitter did more harm to thailand than 2 tsunamis)

[BohsPartisan]

Was Gary Glitter not living in Vietnam?

[wws]

did he not escape Thailand and flee to Vietnam?

I dunno

[BohsPartisan]

Quite possible. The crimes he went on trial for took place in Vietnam anyway but its more than possible he was in Thailand before that.

[the 12 th man]

did he not escape Thailand and flee to Vietnam?

I dunno

I think he was arrested in a Vietnamese airport boarding a plane for Thailand.

[Block G Raptor]

Jesus, you're easily shocked. May i suggest you give up driving..

Wasn't shocked I was peeing my self laughing

[BohsPartisan]

Wasn't shocked I was peeing my self laughing

You're not Owen Heary are you?

[finlma]

2FM's response for anyone interested:

Thank you for your e-mail about our coverage of the coup in Thailand.

I note your concerns and have raised the issues with the journalists involved.

The item referred to was produced by an experienced journalist with a particular interest in Thailand.

The phrase itself was taken from the website WWW.thailandguidebook.com. This is a site set up by young people in Thailand with the aim of informing the world about their country:...."the reason we are making this online guidebook is that we want to show people how beautiful Thailand really is. Most people think about Thailand as having only drugs and girls..."

The aim of NewsBeat on 2FM is to reach and interest what is a younger audience than those listening and watching RTÉ's other outlets. We have adopted a more relaxed approach but this does not imply any dumbing-down of RTÉ's journalistic standards.

Yours faithfully,
Vincent Delaney,
Editor 2FM News.

I looked at the website quoted above and true it does say: "Most people think about Thailand as having only drugs & girls." The next line is: "That's really NOT TRUE." which 2FM neglected to say of course